Spurs' head coach Gregg Popovich: 'Kawhi was a great player, but he wasn't a leader'

Before the Spurs loss to the Bucks on Sunday (AEDT), head coach Gregg Popovich added some insight to the team's leadership role

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Written ByKyle Irving

When San Antonio Spurs' head coach Gregg Popovich spoke to the
media before the team's game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Satuday
night he briefly assessed Kawhi Leonard's leadership role, or lack
thereof, with the Spurs.

Popovich was asked about the importance of Patty Mills'
leadership with the departures of Leonard and Tony Parker, as well
as the retirement of Manu Ginobili – he had this to say on the
matter, "Kawhi was a great player, but he wasn't a leader or
anything. Manu and Patty were the leaders." He continued, "Kawhi's
talent will always be missed, but that leadership wasn't his deal
at that time. That may come as he progresses, but Manu and Patty
filled that role last year, and LaMarcus (Aldridge) came a long way
in that regard also."

After spending his first seven seasons in San Antonio, which
produced an NBA Championship, Leonard's relationship with the
franchise had a fall out. The Spurs and Toronto Raptors agreed on a
trade this Summer to swap superstars, sending DeMar DeRozan to San
Antonio. The trade, from a player performance standpoint, has
worked out for both teams thus far.

DeRozan has been great for the Spurs averaging 24.9 points, 6.3
assists and 5.9 rebounds per game despite their subpar 9-10
record.

Leonard has returned to his All-Star and Defensive Player of the
Year caliber, averaging 24.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and
1.8 steals per game. He has played a major role in the Raptors'
fantastic 16-4 record that has them atop of the Eastern
Conference.